Monica Bellucci Not Challenged by Modeling  11/2/05

Italian actress Monica Bellucci dumped modeling in favor of acting, because she was tired of not being able to speak her mind.

The stunning 36-year-old made her English-language movie debut as a bride of Dracula in 1992 film Bram Stocker's Dracula, and knew instantly acting was the career for her.

She now has a string of hit movies to her name including The Brothers Grimm and The Passion of the Christ.

She says, "Models are rightly expected to look good and not express an opinion.

"I had seen what life on a film set was like, and I realized it was for me.

"I knew it was a risk because I was doing so well, but it was a risk I was prepared to take."